The Queens Tech Strategic Plan is a community-based initiative that aims to lay the foundations for the continued long-term growth of tech in Queens.

Tech is a high-growth industry that is transforming New York City. As the future of NYC's economy, tech should be the driver for Queens. With its nascent tech community, diverse population, and latent talent, Queens has the potential to be a leading hub for tech innovation and entrepreneurship. Working closely with tech companies, entrepreneurs, technologists, and the local Queens community, the Queens Tech Strategic Plan aims to identify opportunities to build upon the current tech ecosystem and propose initiatives to support its future growth in Queens & New York City.

This initiative is an effort led by C4Q and the Queens Borough President's Office with funding by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund. Contract no. C1000255a.

Queens Tech Plan Goals

Create Job Opportunities and Increase Diversity

Provide Infrastructure for Continued Growth

Create Hub & Connect Throughout Queens

The NYC Tech Ecosystem

Tech creates high-paying jobs, promotes innovation, and strengthens the economy. In the past few years, the New York City tech ecosystem has experienced a rapid expansion of activity, recently becoming the number two city in the U.S. for venture capital deals and fundraising. According to the “The New York City Tech Ecosystem” study conducted by Association for a Better New York (ABNY), Citi, Google, NY Tech Meetup, and HR&A, the New York City tech sector generates approximately 541,000 jobs and over $124.7 billion in annual output. The same study also cites tech’s incredible multiplier effect: for every one tech job, an additional 4.3 non-tech jobs are created, making it the highest rate of any industry.

This recent growth has not merely been isolated to Silicon Alley in Manhattan, but has expanded beyond what has traditionally understood as the main tech corridor in New York City. There is a nascent tech community emerging in Queens, particularly in Western Queens along the waterfront. Tech companies such as Shapeways, Lyft, and WorldNow and emerging startups like Vengo are located in Long Island City.

The Potential of Queens

Population of 2.3 Million

Most Diverse Community in the World

48% Foreign-born

In addition to being home to a growing number of high-growth startups, digital agencies, and tech companies, Queens is uniquely positioned to become a model for an innovation-driven and inclusive tech sector. The world’s most diverse community, Queens has over 2.3 million residents, nearly half of whom are immigrants.

At the same time, the largest public housing projects in America—Queensbridge and Ravenswood—are located in the area where the Queens tech sector is currently growing and will continue to expand as the future Cornell NYC Tech campus at neighboring Roosevelt Island is built. This incredible diversity of backgrounds and experiences has the potential to create a new pipeline of talent into the tech industry and create a community that is reflective of New York City.

Moving forward, the tech industry faces several critical challenges, including a significant lack of computer programmer talent and a lack of commercial space for tech companies and startups. These, as well as other issues that inhibit future growth, are challenges that Queens can tackle. Ultimately, the goal of the Queens Tech Strategic Plan is to develop a comprehensive development strategy with concrete proposals and initiatives that build the conditions for long-term growth of tech in Queens.

The Study Area

The physical Strategic Plan study area encompasses Astoria down to the Newtown Creek region, between the East River waterfront and Sunnyside. The Plan will consider how to complement other tech communities including the future Cornell NYC Tech campus at Roosevelt Island, the Brooklyn Tech Triangle, Silicon Alley, and northern Brooklyn.

Public Sessions

We want to hear your ideas and work together to make Queens a sustainable and healthy tech community.

From October 17 to 19, we hosted three Public Sessions on themes related to the tech ecosystem to better understand the different needs of the community, business, and residents. By getting your feedback, input, and recommendations for the Queens tech community, we hope to realize the potential of our borough.

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